Press Release

BERLIN – With the cold winter behind us, it’s time to celebrate the warmth of spring by getting outside and going for a walk. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) is honored to once again celebrate National Walk@Lunch Day, now in its eighth year. National Walk@Lunch Day is an annual health promotion hosted by BCBSVT and other Blue Cross and Blue Shield organizations across the country. Last year, more than 22,000 residents laced up their walking shoes and hit the pavement. This year, BCBSVT expects about 35,000 Vermonters will take part.

Most Americans’ schedules are built around their workdays, so National Walk@Lunch Day is designed to fit into–not compete with–the average daily routine. Vermont employers and school leaders will host walks and BCBSVT will sponsor two community walks throughout the state at the following locations:

Burlington – City Hall on Church Street

Rutland – Rutland Regional Medical Center walking loop

Thanks in part to support from the Vermont Education Health Initiative—the health plan covering educators and school staff across the state—more than 100 schools around Vermont plan to host walks, as well. Employees at worksites across the state will also hold National Walk@Lunch Day events at their locations.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates the cost to treat illness and chronic disease caused by inactive lifestyles is nearly $1,000 each year for every family in America. Simply getting 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, such as a brisk walk, at least five times a week, results in significant health benefits. These include lowering the risk of developing or dying from cardiovascular disease, hypertension or type 2 diabetes and improving the health of muscles, bones and joints.

“National Walk@Lunch Day creates an opportunity for millions of Americans to become better informed consumers and become more physically active which can have an impact on their health and well-being,” said Don C. George, President and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont.

“We encourage all Vermonters to participate in this year’s National Walk@Lunch Day,” George said.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of VermontBlue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is the state’s oldest and largest health insurer, providing coverage for about 200,000 Vermonters. It employs about 340 Vermonters at its headquarters in Berlin, a branch office in South Burlington and its Information and Wellness Center in South Burlington’s Blue Mall, and offers group and individual health plans to Vermonters. More information about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is available on the Internet at www.bcbsvt.com. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is an independent corporation operating under a license with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 37 independent, community-based and locally-operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide healthcare coverage for
nearly 105 million
members – one-in-three Americans. For more information on the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and its member companies, please visit bcbs.com. We encourage you to connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube, follow us on Twitter and check out The BCBS Blog, for up-to-date information about BCBSA.